im a little lost with these shift kits.....

I have an automatic formula edition firebird. what exactly are they? what exactly do they do? and how exactly do i control the shift when i am done installing one (if i bought it). I just need some clarrification thank you.

The 98-2002 need some type of special programming to use them but you have a electronically controlled tranny you won't be able or shouldn't try to hold each gear. That is really only for the 700r4 & 4l60 tranny's . Basically what your doing is changing springs, Shims valvebody's and drilling to increase fluid pressure and increase holding pressure.

you dont need a shift kit in those they already hold out the gear when you get into them they go to red line and thats all the shift kit does.

Sorry but that's not true a shift kit does what it say's it improves shift's and every auto from the factory is built with mushy shifts and would need to be rebuilt or shift kit added to improve the shifts .It has nothing to do with RPM's or shift points its the firmness and how quick it shifts. The problem with adding it to his car is that his car has more electronic control of the pressure and needs to be programmed to allow the higher pressure and holding power of the new kit

I have a hypertech power programmer and i was looking into the B&M Transpak 4L60E for my 98 Trans am(automatic). If i got that could i drop into first gear and shift when i wanted to? would it be worth it to get. i also have 3.73 gears installed along with cat back exhaust

The 4L60-E isn't meant to shift manually and shouldn't be done with or without a shift kit but I'm not sure if you can make the changes needed with a programmer but your best bet is to contact B&M or Transgo. Also you feel a big difference after shift kit is installed so yes I would go for it but I would get the Transgo instead of B&M do to the kit includes more modifications to Valvebody housing. Also here is what Transgo say's about installing there kit in 98 + cars- NOTE: Computer strategy change may be required before kit installation on 98 and later vehicles.

hi just reading some of the inputs and i have a 94 TA with the 700R4 automatic which i had rebuilt about 2 years ago with a shift kit and believe me it sucked. I already had the transmission perfermance option from factory, but after the shift kit was installed it would shift after redlining. about 6-6.25 RPMS. Needless to say that tranny only last about a year and a half. Just got it back again and had them put everything back to stock...i was told that there is no need to install a shift kit on these type of cars cuz they already shift hard enough....Now it shifts right on the 5.5 RPM line and is running awesome.

hi just reading some of the inputs and i have a 94 TA with the 700R4 automatic which i had rebuilt about 2 years ago with a shift kit and believe me it sucked. I already had the transmission perfermance option from factory, but after the shift kit was installed it would shift after redlining. about 6-6.25 RPMS. Needless to say that tranny only last about a year and a half. Just got it back again and had them put everything back to stock...i was told that there is no need to install a shift kit on these type of cars cuz they already shift hard enough....Now it shifts right on the 5.5 RPM line and is running awesome.

I agree with 94trams, Dont do a shift kit if you have a performance shift button from the factory...The line pressure when the button is pressed does something not good...(installed B&M on buddies 93, and put it back to stock)
I have a 97 with B&M shift kit (no performance button) and it was the best $50 mod. period...I get mean 2nd gear cherp, and my transmission life should be extended as I'm not riding my clutches

i dont have a performance button on my 98 trans am. so should i get a shift kit?